Nature Archives - Page 3 of 11

Ninette Kruger

1 March 2023
Artists, Australia, New Zealand & Oceania, Featured Artists, Metallurgy, Nature, Pewter, Photography, Resin, Stylized

PROCESS AND PURPOSE

Born in South Africa, Ninette Kruger has always enjoyed being creative and explored different mediums until she discovered pewter embossing in 2004.

She taught herself the basics from an instructional book, and later attended a more advanced techniques workshop at a pewter studio in Johannesburg. Since then , she has been focused on refining her technique and thoroughly enjoying metal embossing as a hobby. “I started out with a career in the food and hotel industry, which I absolutely loved, and completed my MBA in 2006. I quickly realised the corporate world was not for me, and set out to carve out a creative career for myself. I immigrated to New Zealand with my family in 2016 and during lockdown 2020, I attended an online artist masterclass that changed my world.”

Beatrice Carlson

1 February 2022
Artists, Australia, New Zealand & Oceania, Carving, Expressionism, Featured Artists, Glass, Jewellery, Metallurgy, Nature, Stylized, Symbolism

EVOLVING INSPIRATION

“I have ‘a genetic fashion disorder’ with a great grandmother fine linen embroiderer, two grandmother seamstresses and a French fashion design diploma.” So says Beatrice Carlson, an interdisciplinary artist with an impressive background of training.

Since 1988, Beatrice has worked and trained in French fashion design and pattern-making. She learned printmaking at Studio One in Ponsonby, mentored by Beth Serjeant in the years 2009 - 2011.
“From 2017, my art practice has evolved to Silversmith. I have been trained at the Whau Studio by the well known Ilse Marie Erl contemporary jewellery artist in Auckland. I was also selected with 12 other NZ jewellery artists to be part of the HandShake Project 2020 - Jewellery Masterclass by the international artist Iris Eichenberg.”

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Magda van der Walt

1 December 2021
Abstract, Artists, Australia, New Zealand & Oceania, Encaustic, Expressionism, Featured Artists, Impressionism, Nature, Painting

IRONING IT OUT

Mixed media artwork embraces so many mediums, differing creative processes and ways of getting to that all-important final result. We hear about the use of all sorts of medium and materials, however for Magda van der Walt, the word ‘wax’ changes everything.

“The moment I melted the first small block of wax on the hot travelling iron, I was hooked. It is a medium like nothing else I have ever experienced. It can fluctuate between solid and liquid within a few seconds and it dries solid in a single breath, she says. “It retains texture and reflects light in a way no other medium can. Working with it is almost meditative; definitely therapeutic.”

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Keeley Eastwood

1 December 2021
Abstract, Acrylic, Animals, Artists, Australia, New Zealand & Oceania, Drawing, Featured Artists, Impressionism, Ink, Nature, Printing

EASTWOOD MYTHOLOGY

Myths, legends and the other-worldly creatures that bring them to life have long caught the attention of young and old. Authors and illustrators alike have been caught in the web of tales spun across generations. The fantasy genre is one of the key elements that sparked something in Keeley Eastwood and became one of the core inspirations behind her works.
Photos by Brad Mosen Photography

“As a child I have memories of loving illustrated children’s and young adult’s books and televised stories featuring anthropomorphic animals, fairies, mermaids and other mythological creatures,” she says. “These included the Beatrix Potter series, Wind in the Willows, tales about Greek mythology, The Dark Crystal, The Chronicles of Narnia, The NeverEnding Story, The Borrowers, Labyrinth…” Keeley also describes human emotion / states of being, animals and her love for the natural world as other major influencers.

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Cindy Woest

1 December 2021
Africa, Artists, Australia, New Zealand & Oceania, Figures, Impressionism, Nature, Oils, Painting, Realism, Seascape

HONEST ABANDON

While visiting Dougie Chowns one Sunday, I met a neighbour of his, Cindy Woest. Cindy is a very talented woman with a pioneering spirit and endless ‘get up and go.’ She has the ability to tramp into a spot she enjoys, with her canvas and paint, and just - in a couple of hours - produce a painting so true to the view, yet with a loose, pleasing technique. Cindy also writes for this magazine as well as others and is indeed, multi-talented. She tells us her story

I love being outside – the sights, sounds and physical connection with everything outdoors makes me somehow feel part of a larger whole. Being in nature, as a specific part of the ‘outside’, leaves me with a sense of generic wellbeing that travels with me when I return to my ‘inside’ and very average life. The uplifting impact of this residual feeling (which can last for days) has drawn me into capturing that ‘happiness essence’ so that I can use it to stir up good memories for myself and hopefully others viewing my work.

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Madison Rogers

1 October 2021
Artists, Australia, New Zealand & Oceania, Contemporary Art, Featured Artists, Jewellery, Metallurgy, Nature, Stylized, Symbolism

SACRED GEOMETRY

Having always enjoyed working with her hands and anything to do with crafts, by the time Madison Rogers entered high school, she knew she wanted to pursue a career that would allow her to develop and explore her creative skills. With her favourite subject at school being metalwork, she investigated career options that would embrace both her artistic side and her love of working with metal.

“It was around this time that I learned a friend of mine’s father was a jeweller and gem setter. This sounded like the perfect option for me and I pursued this with vigour.” She went straight from high school to study at Hungry Creek Art and Craft School, graduating after four years with a Level 7 Advanced Diploma in Jewellery. “The biggest motivating factor for me to become a jeweller was the overwhelming need to create. To have the skills and knowledge to turn raw materials and a concept into a functional, wearable, beautiful piece of jewellery that is not only meaningful to me, but also becomes something special and cherished by others. I love contributing to the meaningful moments in people’s lives - engagements, weddings, birthdays, graduations or anniversaries etc.”

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Froyle Davies

1 August 2021
Abstract, Acrylic, Artists, Australia, New Zealand & Oceania, Featured Artists, Nature, Painting

BRUSHSTROKE MILEAGE

By Matt Mortimer

There is something to be said for the lighthouse in the storm. To being the beacon of hope that shines through the darkness, piercing the gloom with a positive message to those braving the ravaging seas. Akin to this element of light across stormy waters and threatening skies, is the uplifting attitude and message behind the paintings of Manawatu-based artist, Froyle Davies.

Her wonderful outlook is summed up in her thoughts to budding creative types everywhere. “My best advice is mileage under the brush. Don’t give up. Keep creating, keep experimenting and keep learning. If you are an artist then you have to create. For me, painting is as necessary as breathing. Don’t let any art establishment or disappointment stop you from pursuing your goals. Not everyone will like what you do, but someone will. Find where you fit and go on and shine, she says.”

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Coral Noel Yang

1 August 2021
Abstract, Acrylic, Animals, Artists, Asia, Australia, New Zealand & Oceania, Expressionism, Fantasy, Featured Artists, Figures, Mixed Media, Nature, Oils, Painting, Portraits, Symbolism, Watercolour

Professionally trained in film production, giving her a solid foundation in visual language, storytelling, colour theory, cinematography, and lighting amongst other skills, Coral Noel Yang’s predominant painting training comes from her mother who is a premier painter in Taiwan and also from various classes she took throughout the years including a Master of Fine Arts (Cinema-Television Production) at the University of Southern California, USA and Art History at the Whitman College, USA, amongst others. She tells us about herself:

I was very fortunate to grow up in an artsy family – my Chinese dad was a professor and my Japanese mom is a painter so I grew up immersed in a strong love for arts and literature, which continues to develop. With a passion for storytelling and visual arts I chose my professional pathway as a filmmaker. After earning an MFA in Cinema-TV production from the University of Southern California I embarked on a rich creative journey involving living and traveling in different countries, directing and producing films, TV commercials and children’s television.

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Cara Fotofili

1 August 2021
Abstract, Artists, Australia, New Zealand & Oceania, Featured Artists, Nature, Painting, Pointillism, Watercolour

LIFE BEGINS AT 60!

Cara Fotofili always wanted to be an artist. She recalles that art classes and drawing diagrams in science class were the only things that interested her at school. Hugely influenced by her father, also an artist, Cara became ‘distracted’ by life in general. When she turned 60, she decided it was her time now, she went to art school and studied for five years and has not looked back.

The biggest motivating factor to becoming a professional artist at this time in her life is that the creative process gives her peace, and takes her away from the conditional, habitual expectation to conform. Finally she feels free. “I work quite instinctively – a bit like how you might doodle while talking on the phone. I don’t make plans, but can see that many things that interest me are manifest in my finished work.”

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Andrea Choonoo

1 August 2021
Abstract, Acrylic, Africa, Artists, Australia, New Zealand & Oceania, Featured Artists, Impressionism, Landscape, Nature, Painting, Realism

Photo Credit Ruslana Semenyshena

MULTI-TALENTED SAILOR

Born in South Africa, multi-talented Andrea Choonoo immigrated to New Zealand in 2000. Here she graduated with a Fine Art and Graphic Design Degree from Whitecliffe College of Art and Design in Auckland. She went on to study honours in Screen and Media Studies at the Waikato University and worked as a graphic designer in Sydney, Australia for seven years.

After working in Australia, Andrea went on to sail around the world, capturing the beauty of life through photography and making video documentaries. “I love the outdoors, especially nature and this can be seen through my artwork. Fine art has always been a strong passion and this next venture is a huge undertaking, but also an exciting adventure.”

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